A man who cares for his ill wife 24 hours a day, seven days a week has been jailed for six months for a string of driving offences.
Colchester Magistrates' Court heard that Alan Kidson, who suffers from pancreatitis after years of drinking, was caught drink-driving on two occasions while disqualified from driving.
The 51-year-old was banned from driving in July 2004 and thought his ban was up.
However, Grace Court, prosecuting yesterday said police saw him swerving along the road near his home in Henry Close, Clacton, on July 18.
She said: "He was breath-tested and arrested and it later came to light that he was seen driving the same car on June 29.
"He admitted driving the vehicle and said he was disqualified."
The breath test showed a reading of 75 mcgs. The legal limit is 35.
Kidson was stopped again on September 17 in Henry Close.
The court heard that his speech was slurred and he smelt of alcohol. A breath test was unsuccessful and he was arrested.
At the police station a breath reading of 66mcgs was recorded.
Kidson was not deliberately attempting to drive while disqualified, according to Hendrika Plomp, mitigating.
She said: "He was confused about the dates of his disqualification and this is a case of exceptional circumstances as his wife requires care all around the clock."
He admitted two charges of drink-driving, driving while disqualified on three occasions and driving with no insurance on three occasions.
The court sentenced him to six months in prison and banned him from driving for five years.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Thursday, November 24, 2005
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